Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) welcomed the season’s first international cruise vessel, M V Vasco da Gama, on Saturday, marking an exciting start to the cruise tourism season. The ship, operated by German cruise line Nicko Cruises, docked at the port at 11 a.m., bringing 590 passengers and 416 crew members to Goa. Approximately 500 passengers embarked on sightseeing tours to explore the region’s iconic attractions. Later that evening, the ship departed at 11:30 p.m., heading towards Kochi for the next leg of its journey.

At Mormugao Port, four passengers disembarked from the cruise ship while four others joined for the next leg of the journey. That same day, the port also greeted the arrival of M V Empress, a domestic cruise vessel operated by Cordelia Cruises. This ship brought around 1,300 passengers eager to explore Goa’s attractions. Docking at 11 a.m., M V Empress departed at 8 p.m., continuing its scheduled itinerary.

The recent dual arrivals underscore Mormugao Port’s growing significance as a major cruise hub on India’s western coastline, appealing to both international and domestic travelers. While these vessels were handled at the port’s breakwater berths, the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) is optimistic about welcoming arrivals and departures at its upcoming international cruise terminal, expected to be operational next year.

MPA has announced that Cordelia Cruises plans to operate 30 trips to Mormugao this season, alongside visits from 14 international cruise ships. However, cruise arrivals have been impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea, where Houthi attacks on shipping vessels have raised safety concerns. Traditionally, many European cruise liners transit through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, but increasing threats from Houthi rebels and piracy have prompted cruise operators to reconsider their routes.

Last year, MPA recorded a surge in cruise activity, with nearly 1.2 lakh passengers visiting Goa via cruise liners. Of these, approximately 90,000 were domestic travelers, while the remainder were international tourists. Looking ahead, the port is set to receive two domestic cruise ships every week this season, reinforcing its status as a key player in India’s cruise tourism landscape.

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